World No. 1 and two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal chats to the media ahead of his opener at the All England Club.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. In the 10 years since you beat Roger here, how are you the same and how are you different today than you were then?
RAFAEL NADAL: Older, more kilometers under my legs (smiling).
In general terms, important things in life didn’t change much. That’s the real thing. And in terms of tennis player, of course I had to adapt a little bit my game during that period of time. The (indiscernible) is probably very similar.
Q. What was the biggest adaptation? What has been the biggest thing you’ve had to adapt?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think my position on court. I don’t say in grass, because grass is surface we play — for me personally I play only one or two tournaments per year. In the rest of the surfaces, of course the position on court changed a little bit.
But, yeah, the way that I read tennis is probably a little bit different today than 10 years ago.
Q. Second year in a row that you pulled out of Queen’s. You don’t have a warmup tournament coming into Wimbledon. How are you feeling about your preparations for this tournament?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I’m feeling good. Of course, I decided to be here in Wimbledon again. Is a very special event, of course. I always loved to be around here. Has been always a special thing.
Yeah, it was not positive for me, of course, to not play Queen’s. I was sad to don’t have the chance to be there. In the other hand, I didn’t go there because I played a lot on clay. So I was very happy.
But that’s how it works. I am not 20 any more. I had to take decisions on the schedule sometimes. I decided to don’t play Queen’s because after a long clay court season, the body needed a rest, needed a slow adaptation to adapt to the grass. That’s what I did.
Q. Speaking of schedules, some players have been announced this week for the Laver Cup. What is your position with Laver Cup this year?
RAFAEL NADAL: Difficult for me to say. Being honest, I loved the competition. I had a lot of fun. Is a great event. I really enjoyed and played with a lot of passion.
But this year I have the semifinals of Davis Cup the week before. Difficult for me to say now if I am or I am not. I am just focused and try to do my thing. Remain months, then I will see. Still a long way for me to think about it.
I don’t know how the things going to go in terms of matches, in terms of result. I have an important tie in the semifinals in France the week before.
Of course, yeah, is not ideal. I will not say no today because remain a lot.
Q. I watched last week, you played a little bit to practice on grass in Mallorca in the mornings. Does it help now that Mallorca has such good grass courts?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think it’s good that in Mallorca we have a professional event. Good for our island. Of course, personally I benefit from that, that I have the chance to practice there that week.
But the most important thing is I don’t see like a personal thing. I see like having a tournament in our island is a great promotion for our island. I am very happy for this. Well done to the organization. I think there is more and more people coming to the event. That is a good thing.
Q. The 2008 final 10 years ago, could you reflect on how you felt at the time, what it meant to you at the time, then 10 years on what it means to you looking back on it today?
RAFAEL NADAL: I am not thinking every day about that final. I am just focused on what I am doing today. But of course in that moment, that final have been a very important step forward for me in my career.
I always have been very clear that probably is one of the most emotional matches that I played in my career. Yeah, everybody knows that for me win here was one of my dreams. After losing two finals, that final created a big impact in my tennis career. The personal satisfaction that tournament give to me is difficult to compare with other things.
But, yes, have been great. Today I see that like a long time ago. But the good thing is I still here. I am happy for that.
Q. When you made the quarterfinals here, you’ve gone on to reach the final.
RAFAEL NADAL: I am just glad to be there.
Q. Would you say that has to do with the conditions, the footing of the courts being more and more? Do you prefer it playing in those conditions?
RAFAEL NADAL: It’s obvious that the movements are a little bit easier later because there is not that much grass behind. For me one of the most difficult things here is, of course, the speed of the court, the way that you have to play is different. But the movements are different, no? Later on the tournament, it’s true that the movements are a little bit easier because there is a lot of clay behind the court, so you can move a little bit more free.
I don’t know. I think the grass, on Wimbledon here, this year I see the grass a little bit longer than usual. I don’t know if because there is unbelievable weather and they are trying to protect the grass like this. But that’s it, no?
I know to be there I have to play very well on the conditions at the beginning of the tournament because here there is no one easy match. All the matches are difficult. I need to be ready from the beginning. I am looking forward to have the best preparation possible the next two days that I still have and just be ready.
Q. Do you approach Wimbledon, because you don’t play too many tournaments on grass, differently than other tournaments? Do you have different expectations? Is it always the same?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, expectations are always high. I am not here to play the tournament; I am here to try to have a good results, of course.
But is true that in the other hand is one of these events that you arrive here and you really don’t have the previous feeling of how you feel, how you are playing, how you are not playing.
But is nothing new. Even when I won here, when I played finals here, I played five in a row I think. So I played, yes, one year I won on Queen’s, played five matches. The other year the maximum I played was three matches on Queen’s.
Even with three matches, you arrive here and you really don’t know very well. Is an event that you need to find your confidence during the tournament and during the practice the week before.
For example, when I arrived to Roland Garros, I know more or less if I am playing well or if I am not playing well. I know where my chances are, more or less. In the US Open, little bit less, but still knowing better than here.
Q. You said you think more about scheduling now that you’re older. You’ve had injuries for a long time, since you were younger. At what point in your career did it become more important to you, scheduling, being smart about where you play and where you don’t play?
RAFAEL NADAL: Nothing new for me. I am doing this since a while. You can check my schedules during the last years. I got injured, is true, but not because I’m doing crazy things. I’m not changing surfaces like this (snapping fingers). I am not playing 23, 24 events per year.
That’s the real thing. I am taking care of my body. You cannot predict injuries. Of course, I don’t know if it’s unlucky or not, but I got injured more than the others, especially my rivals. That’s it.
Just accept and keep going, try to do the things the better way possible to be less times injured. But is something that you cannot control. It’s just part of my tennis career, too.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
Good luck Rafa .all the best for you and vamosssssssssss you can do it 😘🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍👍😇❤️❤️❤️😇😇😇😇🎾🎾🎾🎾❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍❤️
Honestly I didn’t see the point of this press conference. I thought there was some news. I guess the good news is all systems ago but I’m not sure why a press conference for this was needed when there are far more important things going on in the world. I’m a huge fan of Raffa but I don’t think
Sorry, my laptop dies for a sec….meant to close with I don’t think a press conference was necessary.
The best of everything at Wimbledon this year Rafa. Health, confidence, and great play. God bless you Rafa. Love, Marylynn
Does anyone know Why Moya is not with Rafa at Wimbledon? Last year too he did the same thing.
I don’t know the answer to that questionSubri.But I would like to know ,just like you.
Help anyone.Thanks in advance.
Well, in my younger days, I had a notion that Wimbledon is the only most prestigious tournament. Slowly I started getting the fact that ones opinions are built up on the narratives either told to one by media or the persons you look up to. Rafael Nadal did win Wimbledon to add to glorious collection of trophies two times. This could be the third one. For me, I will be thrilled , as always, to just see him play in Wimbledon & if he wins, surely be ecstatic. Vamps Rafa! 🏆 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻.
Vamos sweetheart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ******love your ACES on grass……… wi……wi…..wi….. and you have such great effective serve sweetheart and it was impressive…… ACES and all…….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Great matches….occasionally returning into the net is no big deal…… and returning way out is no big deal either………. all part of the game…..and your grass play sweetheart is beautiful to watch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Have a great Sunday ! : ) xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxox
Hoping you have a really successful Wimbledon Rafa. I will be cheering you on from my home in Failsworth Manchester, good luck xxx
Have a great run at Wimby. Enjoy the tradition, and hope you have great success.
Your participation always enhances the tournament. Good luck🍀💪👊👏👍❣️
Rafa all the very best for your first Wimbledon game,
love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
OLA AGAIN SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) JUST WATCHING YOUR TWO EXHIBITION MATCHES AGAIN AND YOU ARE SO GOOD ON GRASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ): ) : ) : ) LOVED YOUR ACE AND LOVED HOW YOU CAME BACK FROM 40 ; 0 BEHIND TO HOLD YOUR 2ND SERVE GAME……VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE MADE FOR GRASS DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR BODY AND YOUR MOVEMENT AND YOUR RETURNS AND YOUR SERVE ARE SO MUCH CONNECTED TO EACH MOVE AND ARE SO MUCH APART OF YOUR RACKET AND BALL HANDLING…….I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : : ) : ) : ) : ) IT ALMOST SEEM LIKE YOU ARE BRINGING YOUR FOCUS TO A MEDITATIVE MODE AS YOU MOVE OR SERVE OR RETURN AND POINT BY POINT YOUR ENTIRE RHYTHM IS BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VERY SMOOTH AND JUST EACH POINT IS SO RESPONSIVE FROM YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP GOING SWEETHEART IN YOUR SMOOTH SAILING MODE……IT IS POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I LOVE THESE TWO GRASS MATCHES….. VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) AND LOVE THE WELCOMING WAY IN WHICH THE ADORING CROWD WELCOMED YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING SWEETHEART AND KNOW YOU ARE BRILLIANT AND EXTRAORDINARY GIFTED TENNIS PLAYER ON ALL SURFACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT GRASS IS SO MUCH EASIER IN MANY WAYS…..NOT ONLY ON YOUR BODY, THAT’S FOR SURE, BUT IT SEEMS PLAYING ON GRASS IS A FINE, OPEN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT RETURN ANGELS, CLOSER IN IN BASE LINE, AND DIFFERENT INTENSITIES, RETURNING WITH COMPLETE CONNECTION IN TERMS OF STRENGTH AND LOOKING AT EACH POINT ON GRASS AS IF IT IS A BEAUTIFUL NEW CHALLENGE TO BE CONCORD. …..SO YES SENIOR CHAMP…..YOU ARE RIGHT WHERE YOU BELONG AND VAMOS SWEETHEART FOR YOUR SOLID WAY OF ADOPTING TO GRASS AGAIN. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU HAVE THE GOODS!!!! YOU HAVE THE SKILLS!!!!! AND YOU HAVE THE TENNIS INTELLIGENCE TO FEEL YOUR WAY INTO EACH POINT. THAT IS WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
I THINK YOU ARE CORRECT IF YOU THINK THE GRASS IS TALLER THIS YEAR! I TRUST YOUR CALL ABOUT IT 100 PERCENT !!!!!! YOU HAVE SUCH INTUITIVE WAYS ABOUT YOU DEAR RAFA THAT YOUR PERCEPTION IS RIGHT ON AND AS YOU HAD MENTIONED IN THE INTERVIEW SO ELOQUENTLY, YOU WILL PLAY ON ALL CONDITIONS AS IS…..AND ALL IS IN YOUR REACH SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) I LOVE SEEING YOU IN ALL WHITE OUTFIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) AND LOVE YOUR WHITE RAFA ACADEMY CLOTHES AND HAT YOU HAD AT THE INTERVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ENJOY YOUR BEAUTIFUL TENNIS AND HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) THAT’S ALL IT IS…..FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) FUN: ) FUN : ) KEEP ALL YOUR PRECIOUS STRENGTH AND SOLID WAY YOU TAKE EACH POINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP SMILING & ENJOYING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU LOVE WATCHING YOU PLAY ON GRASS AND ALL SURFACES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) PLEASE TELL YOUR PHYSIO RAFAEL TO MASSAGE YOUR CALFS EXTRA……AND YOUR TOYS ……AND YOUR LOWER BACK……AND YOUR HIPS…..AND PLEASE TELL HIM WE LOVE WATCHING HIM WATCH YOU PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THO SOMETIMES HE CHECKS EMAILS TOO MUCH DURING MATCHES BUT WE FORGIVE HIM…..: ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) JUST KIDDING : ) GOOD NIGHT SWEETHEART & SWEET DREAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) BEAUTIFUL INTERVIEW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU LOOK SO GREAT DEAR RAFA AND I LOVE WHAT YOU SAID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) 🙂 ENJOY YOUR TOUR AND HAVE LOTS OF FUN WITH YOUR LOYAL GREAT TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ROIG IS WONDERFUL AND I ALWAYS LOVE SEEING HIM BESIDE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU ARE PLAYING MAGNIFICENTLY SWEETHEART …….CI……….CI………CI……….& THIS WILL BE A BEAUTIFUL, SPECTACULAR TOUR FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) TAKING EACH MATCH, EACH POINT, IS YOUR FEISTY FIGHTING WAY & THAT IS GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHO YOU IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE NET…….. YOU HAVE THE GOODS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) BESIDES, YOU ALSO HAVE THE ADORABLE, HUNKY BODY & THAT FIGHTING SPIRIT THAT IS INSTINCTIVELY YOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WI………WI………WI……..IN SHORT, YOU ARE VERY VERY SPECIAL SWEETHEART AND ONE OF A KIND EXCEPTIONAL, CLASSY TENNIS GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) WE LOVE YOU DEAR RAFA AND VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING & WE WILL BE ENJOYING EACH POINT WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I REALLY ENJOYED SEEING YOUR PRACTICE PHOTOS & KUDOS TO YOU FOR BEING SO FIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE WORKING INTELLIGENTLY AND YOU HAVE SUCH TENNIS WISDOM………VAMOS & HAVE LOTS OF FUN & ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) IT IS A GREAT SUMMER AND A LOVELY TIME TO BE IN ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) 🙂 HAVE A NICE NIGHT AND A BEAUTIFUL TWO WEEKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) GOOD NIGHT & GOD BLESS YOU SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ) KEEP SMILING! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
Honest and to the point as usual. I admire Rafa for his patience and politeness in ansewring some of the quesions he’s been asked a thoudand times.